Thermostat sign flasher



June 30, 1925. 1,543,753

C..G. DOMINIC THERMOSTAT SIGN FLASHER Filed Aug. 11. 1923 IN V EN TOR.

' fi%d//es GZZomiv/a i v ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 30, 1925.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES 'G. DOMINIC, OF SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR CF ONE-FIFTH T WASHINGTON J. GEAR, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

THIIBMOSTAT SIGN IILASHER.

1 Application filed Au ust 11, 1923. Serial No. 656,926.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES G. DOMINIC, acitizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Greene and I State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermostat Sign Flashers, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a thermostat sign flasher, and more particularly to a device for automatically flashing a sign, and is designed for use on A. C. or D. C. cir cuits; the operation consisting of a solenoid mounted on a slate base and designed to open a series lamps through a contact attached to the armature, which is controlled as to frequency of operation by a thermostatic strip or element mounted on u the slate base.

The equipment comprises a solenoid in series with a thermostat control, with connections and name plate, mounted on the slate base and enclosed in a sheet metal cutout box with a one-quarter inch air space between the slate base and the steel case.

The principal object is the construction of a simple and efiicient thermostat for use a as an electric sign flasher.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a diagram of my improved device, showing same in circuit with a solenoid.

Figure 2 is a front view of the device, while Figure 3 is a side view.

Figure 4 is a section, taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the body of the device, showing particularly a shoulder-structure of the same.

Referring to the drawings by numerals,

The thermostat device comprises an elongated, body 3, of suitable non-conductive material, and the body is provided with a recess 4 and with shoulders 5 near opposite ends, Resting against these shoulders is athermostatic bar 6. The recess 4 gives the bar suilicient room for expansion and operation against the adjustable screw 7, which screw projects through the body 3. A lock nut 8 is partly countersunkin the recess portion 4, and a .lock nut 9 is on screw 7, against the angle plate 10.

The bar 6 is preferably covered with an insulating material 11 and the bar is wrapped by wire 12, over the insulating material 11, and wire 13 connects the bar 6 to the post 14. Post 14 is connected to the solenoid by wire 15. Bolts 16 extend through the ends of body 3 and fastens the ends of bar 6 to the body. The lower end of wire 12 is connected to bar 6 by wire 13*.

Extending from one side of the body 3 are a pair of angle plates 17; these angle plates are fastened to the body by means of the bolts 16. Each plate 17 is provided with an aperture 19, in its outer end.

On plate 10 is mounted a screw 20, and on screw 20 is mounted a washer 21, whereby a wire can be easily attached to the outer end of plate 10.

It is to be noted that I have produced a device including a body with shoulders, against which shoulders the metallic bar rests, whereby the bar is kept from expanding lengthwise, compelling the bar to bow outwardly or upwardly when the current heats said bar so that the flash or break in the circuit is positive and clean. Another feature of my device is the bolts that extend entirely through the body and the brass plates or bars at each end. Another feature of my device is the stability of the body with the adjustable screw going entirely through the same and making contact with the brass bar having lock nuts on both sides, so that they secure a connection in a manner which cannot work loose.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention, and have illustrat-ed the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates, during the extensive manufacture of the same and I,

therefore, reserve the right to make such alterations or changes as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Vhat I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an elongated body provided with enlarged end portions having their outer faces provided with recesses leading from their inner ends and providing seats terminating in abutment shoulders, a bar having its ends resting upon said seats and fitting against said shoulders and bridging the space between the enlarged end portions of the bar, a bolt on said body, means electrically connecting said bar and bolt, an adjustable screw passing through the body between the enlarged end portions and under said bar and movable towards and away from the bar, and lock nuts on the 20 screw at opposite sides of the body.

2. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a body provided with an expansible bar, an adjustable screw passing through the body and adapted to engage said bar, an angle plate parallel with the longitudinal axis of said body being secured to the body and having an end portion extending from the body, the adjustable screw being passed through said angle plate and having engagement therewith, a screw with a washer thereon passing through the outturned end portion of said angle plate and adapted to have a conductor wire connected therewith, and a pair of angle plates fastened to the ends of the body and overhanging one side thereof and having fastener receiving openings whereby said device may be attached to a support.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

CHARLES G. DOMINIC. 

